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Humans to Mars: a feasibility and cost-benefit analysis |
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| Authors: | Ehlmann Bethany L Chowdhury Jeeshan Marzullo Timothy C Collins R Eric Litzenberger Julie Ibsen Stuart Krauser Wendy R DeKock Brandon Hannon Michael Kinnevan Jessica Shepard Rebekah Grant F Douglas |
| Affiliation: | aDepartment of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA bSchool of Medicine, University of Alberta, Canada cNeuroscience Program, University of Michigan, USA dSchool of Oceanography, University of Washington, USA eDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering Division, Stanford University, USA fDepartment of Zoology, University of Hawaii, Manoa, USA gNASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, USA hDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, USA iDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, USA jDepartment of Electrical Engineering, University of New Hampshire, USA kDepartment of Geology, University of California, Davis, USA lDepartment of Geological Sciences, Arizona State University, USA |
| Abstract: | Mars is a compelling astrobiological target, and a human mission would provide an opportunity to collect immense amounts of scientific data. Exploration alone, however, cannot justify the increased risk. Instead, three factors drive a human mission: economics, education, and exploration. A human mission has a unique potential to inspire the next generation of young people to enter critically needed science and engineering disciplines. A mission is economically feasible, and the research and development program put in place for a human mission would propel growth in related high-technology industries. The main hurdles are human physiological responses to 1–2 years of radiation and microgravity exposure. However, enabling technologies are sufficiently mature in these areas that they can be developed within a few decade timescale. Hence, the decision of whether or not to undertake a human mission to Mars is a political decision, and thus, educational and economic benefits are the crucial factors. |
| Keywords: | Mars Human Mission Feasibility Technical Political |
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